Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-08-29
THE OLD-TIME mINsTRELs.

Interesting Facts About the Pioneers
of Burnt Cork and Wielders of the
ssBones.''
[From the Baltimore Americana
The first band of minstrels ever formed
was in New York in 1912. Frank Brewer
and Dan Emmett had been doing double
act at the Franklyn Theater, New York,
when benefit was given at the BoWery
circus Four performers volunteered and
did their songs and dances on board in
the ring. The performers consisted of
Frank Brewer, Dan Emmett, Bill Pell and
Frank Germon 1t hit the public. George
R. Woodbridge got them to appear in the
Park Theater for few nights and then they
went over to England. From this crude be-
ginning sprang all the great bands of later
days They appeared in plantation suits, as
ga first part'' was not known at that time.
E. P Christy was playing fiddle in
dance hall in Buffalo, N. Y. He started
band of 'sserenaders,' as they were then
called-net "minstrels." It was composed
of Dick Hooley, Earl Pierce. George Harring-
ton (Gesrge Christy) and few others. They
played in the towns on the Erie canal until
Christy wisely located in New York, where
he established ''the Christy minstrels." He
went also to London and founded compa-
nv. and it is now fixed institution. Pony
Moore is at the head of it and has made
fortune in the British Isle. At New York
E. P Christy was the middle man and
George Harrington (who took the name of
Christy) was the gay and festive clinker OF
the bones and fun maker in general. Dave
Reed was on the tambourine end. George
was as light as feather, eHervescent with
humor and buoyant in good nature; but he
was too fond of s'life," which caused his
death He drank to excess gambled high;
| he grew lazy, heavy and cumbersome. HIS
domestic troubles wore upon him, and his
last years were passed in poverty and in OBJ
scurity E. P. Christy became very wealthy,
bnt, the war coming on, he became i'm
pressed with the idea that his money would
be swept away and he would become a beg
gar, and in a fit of insanity threw himself
out of window and killed himself. Hoo
ley is now prosperous magager in Chicago.
The Campbell minstrels then came to the
front. Luke West, Matt Peel and Bill New
comb were members of this party, likewise
an excellent performer by the name of Merit
Sexton. Newcomb and Rumsey minstrels
then came before the public. They made
great deal cf money and fine reputation.
This band went the rounds of the country.
They went over to our English cousins, win
ming golden opinions and coin. They then
went to the West Indies and succeeded, but
made q wonderful failure in Germany, where
they were kissed and finally driven from the
SSO
negroes instead of white men with blackened
| faces They considered their show swim
| die and treated them accordingly. New
| comb disbanded his company after he re-
| turned home and went into a business he did
not understand and failed. He died with
| only four cents in his pocket.
James Dumbleton, of Baltimore, circus
advertiser, started fine company. Stan
wood Harrington, Gill Pell, g. A. White, ).
| Howard and others took the road. They also
went to s'Merrie England" and were suc-
cess. They got back home after two years
and appeared at Palmo's Opera House, New
| York. But during Dumbleton's visit to Eu-
rope the ''Chrysties'' had gained such firm
hold in the Empire City that Dumbleton dis
banded his troupe and went back into the
circus business. Most of his performers
joined Christy.
Sam S. Sanford also started company,
and for long time they were favorite par
ty. sole Bull" Myers, Jim Sandford and
Eph Horn were great s'cards" with this par
~